UEFA launches new guidance to measure spectator travel emissions

Football brings people together as few other activities can. Every matchday, millions of supporters travel to stadiums across Europe to cheer on their teams. While this movement of fans is central to the matchday experience, it also represents one of the largest sources of carbon emissions associated with football events.

To help the game better understand and address this impact, we have published new guidance on calculating spectator travel emissions, fully integrated into the existing UEFA Carbon Footprint Calculator.

Launched in 2024, the calculator supports football organisations in measuring, managing and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The new methodology provides a clear and consistent approach to assessing emissions generated by supporters travelling to and from matches.

A common approach for European football

Accurately measuring spectator travel emissions has historically been a challenge. Different organisations have often relied on different assumptions, data sources and calculation methods, making comparisons difficult and increasing the risk of inconsistencies.

Developed in collaboration with the Premier League, Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), the guidance introduces a common methodology that brings greater transparency, consistency and credibility to carbon accounting across European football.

Although clubs and event organisers cannot directly control how supporters travel, they can help shape more sustainable choices through better transport information, partnerships with public transport providers, improved cycling facilities and incentives that encourage lower-carbon journeys.

A better understanding of travel-related emissions is an important first step towards identifying opportunities to reduce them.

UEFA via Getty Images

From data to action

The methodology focuses on emissions generated by supporters travelling to and from matches. In greenhouse gas accounting, these emissions fall under Scope 3 Category 9: Downstream Transportation and Distribution.

We recommend a "fan-led" approach, whereby clubs account for emissions linked to the travel of their own supporters to both home and away fixtures.

To produce robust estimates, the methodology considers a range of transport modes, including cars, buses, trains and flights, and combines supporter survey data with ticketing information.

By adopting a common approach to measuring spectator mobility, football organisations across Europe will be better equipped to track progress, identify opportunities for improvement and support the game's wider sustainability ambitions.

Bringing industry experts together

To mark the launch of the guidance, we will host a webinar on 25 August at 11.00 CET, bringing together sustainability experts from across European football to discuss practical approaches to measuring and managing spectator travel emissions.

Speakers include:

• Will Hutton, Head of Sustainability, Premier League
• James Beale, Head of Sustainability & Community, Brentford FC
• Mathilde Chamak, Cheffe de projet RSE, Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP)
• Yann Pasiecznik, Chef de projet RSE, Paris Saint-Germain
• Noé Le Masson, Survey & Insight Manager, Paris Saint-Germain
• Vincent Reulet, Senior Environmental Impact Expert, UEFA

The webinar will explore how organisations can use data and common methodologies to better understand the environmental impact of supporter travel and turn insights into meaningful action.